How the N.R.A. Uses Fear to Sell Guns

Mike Weisser runs a blog called Mike the Gun Guy and describes himself as a “gun nut beyond all gun nuts.” He joined the N.R.A. when he was eleven years old, a budding sportsman with a rifle for sport shooting. He later worked in his uncle’s gun business building revolvers, sold guns wholesale to law enforcement, and eventually opened a retail shop. He has written six books about guns. He’s also an N.R.A.-certified firearms instructor, and was interviewed by the New Yorker staff writer Evan Osnos for his recent story on the business and politics of selling guns. Osnos found that Weisser has an unusual position: while he’s in favor of gun rights, he also writes critically, on his blog, about the N.R.A. and how it works to create a climate of fear to advance its agenda. The two sat down to talk about how the N.R.A. has changed since it was founded as a hunting and sportsman’s club.

A prominent gun blogger and lifelong N.R.A. member explains how the organization uses fear to get its way.

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